Eagle Rock, Virginia sits at the convergence of the James River and Craig Creek within the Blue Ridge Mountains at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. This area experiences hot summers with temperatures often reaching the high 80s and cool winters, making spring and fall ideal for camping excursions. Numerous campgrounds in the area offer primitive sites alongside more developed facilities with restrooms and shower access.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Douthat State Park Campground, visitors find excellent hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "There are many hiking trails nearby with a variety of difficulty. We chose a couple that provided nice views," notes Diane P., who camped there in November.
Fishing opportunities: Bolar Mountain Recreation Area provides excellent fishing access to Lake Moomaw. "We had the pleasure of having a campsite with lake view and access both times. Campground 2 site 53, has a nice private beach area where you can go fishing or swim. Bring water shoes, the rocks can be sharp," advises Nicole R.
Mountain biking: Douthat State Park offers dedicated mountain biking trails for cycling enthusiasts. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" recommends Robyn S.
Water activities: The James River provides kayaking, tubing, and swimming options near multiple campgrounds. "Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park provides glampers with river access. A great place!! Right next to the James River for all of your fishing needs," says Matt R.
What campers like
Quiet locations: Otter Creek Campground offers peaceful sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway. "The creek ran right through our spacious and secluded site. It was quiet and serene- just what we were looking for before heading back to city life," shares Rosie R.
Spacious sites: Morris Hill Campground provides roomy camping areas. "Plenty of room on the site for tents and vehicle parking. Neighboring sites offer fair amount of privacy," notes Mike C., who stayed at site 034.
Lake access: Many campers appreciate the easy lake access at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. "The views of the lake are stunning! There was fishing, boating and swimming as well! Gets crowded depending on the time of year but worth it for sure!" explains Bran P.
Clean facilities: Natural Bridge KOA maintains high standards for their facilities. "The bathrooms & private showers were amazing & clean. The laundry room looked just as nice, but we didn't use it," notes Carey R., who visited with her family.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds in the Eagle Rock area have limited seasonal availability. Natural Bridge KOA offers year-round accommodations while other facilities close during winter months.
Reservation needs: For weekend camping, especially at popular sites like Douthat State Park, advanced booking is essential. "We reserved 35&36. 35 was pretty sloped but the gravel driveway wasn't too terribly unlevel," advises Jennifer K. about Morris Hill Campground.
Cell service: Coverage varies significantly across campgrounds. "Cell service (at&t) was a little spotty but for the most part we usually had about 2 bars and were even able to watch a little netflix on the one rainy day," mentions Jennifer K. about Morris Hill Campground.
Wildlife presence: Bears and other wildlife are active in the area. "We rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads," reports Robyn S. about Douthat State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers exceptional water features for children. "The kids loved the water park! So much for them to do! There were craft nights, build an ice cream sundae night, dance parties! Giant inflatable trampolines were a blast," shares Cat R.
Off-season benefits: Consider camping during shoulder seasons when facilities are less crowded. "We camped on a busy fall weekend. The campground has Halloween themed activities for kids on specific weekends. We were there for one of these weekends. It's geared for younger kids(10 and under)," suggests Kathleen M. about Jellystone Park.
Beach activities: Lake Moomaw's beach area at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers family-friendly swimming. "Coles Point is located approximate 3 miles from the campground. On the opposite side of the boat parking area there is a beach area for swimming. Soft sand and also a Volleyball net," notes Steven in his review.
Activity planning: Many campgrounds near Eagle Rock offer organized activities for children. "We had a great weekend with the whole family! There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging," describes Bridget H. about her family's fall camping trip.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Middle Creek Campground, RV sites require careful consideration. "The biggest turn-off for us at the campground was the RV section right across from the camp store. It seemed like the sites were really packed in there, one on top of the other," notes Andrea N.
Premium sites: Natural Bridge KOA offers upscale options for RVers seeking more amenities. "They had brand new premium pull through sites that were amazing! Big patios, bbq grill, tables, fire pit. It was a quiet, well laid out and easy to manage in our 36 ft trailer," shares mae.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," warns Jeremy W. about Douthat State Park Campground.
Leveling needs: Prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. "Great job building level sites in a hillside. Easy in and out. Clean facilities," notes Marletta & Ed M. about Natural Bridge KOA.
